Eciton

is a large, conspicuous army ant endemic to the neotropics. Most species have a soldier caste with mandibles modified into ice-tong shaped hooks for defense against vertebrates. One rain forest species, E. burchellii, is known for its expansive epigaeic swarm raids.

Army ants live such fast paced lives that they must feed regularly. Not all captured prey makes it back to the bivouac; here, Eciton hamatum workers lap up spilled hemolymph from a captured larva.
Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador